I attended an open water swim competition this past weekend and about 80% of the swimmers were wearing wrist watches. This meet was USMS sanctioned/recognized as all competitors had to be registered USMS members. None of the approximately 550 swimmers were disqualified for wearing wrist watches. I thought timing devices were not allowed but couldn't find wrist watches specifically mentioned in the open-water swimming rules. Could someone clarify this and/or point me in the right direction as to where this is addressed in the rules.
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Former Member
Originally posted by Maryyyyyy
In long pool races we can always see the digital pace clock running, and many people have coaches or friends signalling them. I wish I did, and will in the future, as I tend to go too slow and end the race feeling fresher than when I started it.
For pool races, in Italy at least, FINA SW 10.15 applies:
SW 10.15 No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which has that effect.
My impression was that the recent move to ban watches was an attempt to bring US rules in line with the above. I was given a warning for wearing a watch in a race in Florida last fall. Under FINA rules any clocks visible to the swimmer should be turned off. Strangely, during the Olympics they talked about the backstrokers watching the scoreboard clock...
Originally posted by Maryyyyyy
In long pool races we can always see the digital pace clock running, and many people have coaches or friends signalling them. I wish I did, and will in the future, as I tend to go too slow and end the race feeling fresher than when I started it.
For pool races, in Italy at least, FINA SW 10.15 applies:
SW 10.15 No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which has that effect.
My impression was that the recent move to ban watches was an attempt to bring US rules in line with the above. I was given a warning for wearing a watch in a race in Florida last fall. Under FINA rules any clocks visible to the swimmer should be turned off. Strangely, during the Olympics they talked about the backstrokers watching the scoreboard clock...
